12 volt outlet Questions !!!

[arntufun]

I'm looking to alter my 12 volt outlet (cigarette outlet) located in my frunk. The outlet is only hot when the key is on. So that means when the key is on, the lights are on also. I want to charge my phone/ipod when the bike is off, so I want to make it always hot. Will this draw power from the battery even when nothing is plugged in to the outlet ??? Where would the dealer have connected the wires to the power source so I don't pull more tupperware off than I need to ??? Thanks in advance !!!

 

[Bob Denman]

On the RTs that plug is "hot" all of the time; I even used it to plug in my Battery Tender this Winter and it worked great! It doesn't draw the battery down unless there's something plugged in and using power. I think that somebody here (Scotty maybe?) once mentioned how to heat that plug up full-time on the RS/GS models...

 

[LittleJohn]

If i remember correctly, the plug connector that is always hot is up behind the cluster area. I believe a white plug. Should be tied off somewhere up just under the handlebar are forward of the steering shaft.
Find that, and move a 3 amp fuse from the spare position to the "always hot" position i the fuse box, and your all set.

 

[GaryTheBadger]

Arntufun, the fuse block has an always-on accessory fuse space (labelled F6, 3amps) and a wire connected that hangs below. You can move your 12v outlet power wire over to that wire, insert a 3A mini-blade fuse in the block and you're good to go. You will have to remove two easy pieces of tupperware to get to the back of the 12v outlet and the bottom of the fuse block. Call me if you have any questions about this. Gary 408-427-5309.

 

[arntufun]

Thanks so much for the info !!! This place is great. I'm honored to be apart of it. Do I put a bigger fuse than a 3 amp one in the fuze slot because the household Bose speakers I use ??? They run off a little 100 watt inverter I plug in the 12 volt outlet that draws 4 amps not counting what the inverter draws.

 

[GaryTheBadger]

To protect the wiring, I wouldn't exceed 10Amp. There's spare fuses in the fuse block lid.

 

[arntufun]

To protect the wiring, I wouldn't exceed 10Amp. There's spare fuses in the fuse block lid.

Ok sweet, thanks. One final question, What two peices of tupperware do
I remove ??? Sorry about all dumb questions but the spyder really intimidates me because they're so sensitive with all the sensors and computer gizmos that could throw a code.

 

[GaryTheBadger]

Actually its three, but only two requiret tools.

• Open trunk lid
• Open seat
• Pull straight up on the long black cover that runs side-to-side above the trunk opening (no tools)...it partially covers the fuse block
• Use T30 torx bit to remove four bolts holding left side tupperware that says "Can-Am"; two bolts at front edge, two bolts at back edge, remove panel
• Use T30 torx bit to remove one bolt at rear of left black fog light panel
• Use flat blade screwdriver to pop up black push-pins on fog light panel, two on top, one underneath. Remove fog light panel.
• Push tabs inward on fuse block cover and remove lid

Its up to you if you want to remove the fuse block (un-snaps at sides) and/or remove the 12v outlet, in order to reach the accessory wire hanging below the fuse block. Its a short wire.

Also, I recommend a voltmeter or test light to confirm which wire on the 12v outlet is positive vs. negative. The positive should be the one closer to the center of the outlet, but if they wired it like some of the RS front turn signals, it could be reversed.

Call if you need help. 408-427-5309.

 

[arntufun]

Thank you, if your ever in NY look me up and I'll buy you lunch !!!

 

[Firefly]

Thanks so much for the info !!! This place is great. I'm honored to be apart of it. Do I put a bigger fuse than a 3 amp one in the fuze slot because the household Bose speakers I use ??? They run off a little 100 watt inverter I plug in the 12 volt outlet that draws 4 amps not counting what the inverter draws.

Hold the phone a second........

You said you wanted it 'hot' to charge your phone.... which will work fine..... but now you're talking about running an inverter off of it?

I would NOT do that. If it's a GOOD 100w inverter it will draw 10 amps. If it's a cheap one it will draw more.

Either way I would NOT run an inverter off the Spyder without doing the following:

1. Run a separate circuit to the battery with proper sized fuze. A powerbus setup like the Easter Beaver is a good way to go. You don't want to take a chance of a meltdown of the factory wiring - which is NOT designed to handle the draw of an inverter.

2. I would not run the inverter without the Spyder running.

3. The Spyder uses a magneto for charging instead of an alternator. It doesn't give a good charge when running at low RPM's -- you need to be riding it - not just idling.

 

[sabunim5]

Hold the phone a second........

You said you wanted it 'hot' to charge your phone.... which will work fine..... but now you're talking about running an inverter off of it?

I would NOT do that. If it's a GOOD 100w inverter it will draw 10 amps. If it's a cheap one it will draw more.

Either way I would NOT run an inverter off the Spyder without doing the following:

1. Run a separate circuit to the battery with proper sized fuze. A powerbus setup like the Easter Beaver is a good way to go. You don't want to take a chance of a meltdown of the factory wiring - which is NOT designed to handle the draw of an inverter.

2. I would not run the inverter without the Spyder running.

3. The Spyder uses a magneto for charging instead of an alternator. It doesn't give a good charge when running at low RPM's -- you need to be riding it - not just idling.

:agree::agree::agree:
First of all you should not put a larger fuse than the wiring was designed to support. Second, the load will not be supported even with the larger fuse and if there are any issues your warranty will not be worth the paper it's written on when electrical problems arise. Third, the accessory fuse panel is the way to go. Firefly is giving you the right advice.

 

[arntufun]

Firefly... I want to do both (charge phone and run a small inverter). So I do understand that the phone charging portion will be fine. What I also want the always hot outlet for is, if the wife and I stop for ice cream I want to be able to open the trunk and turn on the ipod for 10-15 minutes without the bike running. But the speakers I use are houshold Bose speakers that runs on 110 volt AC. The sound quality is awesome from these. So I run a very small 100 watt inverter made in china. I looked on the inverter itself after your post, and it says nothing on it and I don't have the package. It's one that you plug in the 12 volt outlet and three inches out is a AC receptacle and you can hear a little fan run inside of it. If this can't be done it will suck because the HMF exhaust pipe I run, drowns the world out. The inverter and speakers seems to run fine with the bike running with current setup. When I shut the bike off the outlet stays on for 15 seconds or so, then shuts off. Never blew a fuze yet from the factory setup running it this way. I wonder what the factory amp fuze it is currently hooked to ??? Now I'm really confused !!!:gaah:

 

[Bootie]

I'm looking to alter my 12 volt outlet (cigarette outlet) located in my frunk. The outlet is only hot when the key is on. So that means when the key is on, the lights are on also. I want to charge my phone/ipod when the bike is off, so I want to make it always hot. Will this draw power from the battery even when nothing is plugged in to the outlet ??? Where would the dealer have connected the wires to the power source so I don't pull more tupperware off than I need to ??? Thanks in advance !!!

"Energy can neither be created nor destroyed":lecturef_smilie:If you are not drawing power, the battery cannot be drained.
I also agree :agree:that on my RT, the power is always on to that outlet.

 

[Firefly]

Firefly... I want to do both (charge phone and run a small inverter). So I do understand that the phone charging portion will be fine. What I also want the always hot outlet for is, if the wife and I stop for ice cream I want to be able to open the trunk and turn on the ipod for 10-15 minutes without the bike running. But the speakers I use are houshold Bose speakers that runs on 110 volt AC. The sound quality is awesome from these. So I run a very small 100 watt inverter made in china. I looked on the inverter itself after your post, and it says nothing on it and I don't have the package. It's one that you plug in the 12 volt outlet and three inches out is a AC receptacle and you can hear a little fan run inside of it. If this can't be done it will suck because the HMF exhaust pipe I run, drowns the world out. The inverter and speakers seems to run fine with the bike running with current setup. When I shut the bike off the outlet stays on for 15 seconds or so, then shuts off. Never blew a fuze yet from the factory setup running it this way. I wonder what the factory amp fuze it is currently hooked to ??? Now I'm really confused !!!:gaah:

So you've been running like this through that front port and it's been working with the speakers and inverter thus far???

If that's the case and you're not popping the fuse then I would say that you're okay--- but DO NOT put a bigger fuse in. The factory calls for a 3 amp-- and if that's what you've been running it on then I'd leave it. The fuse is your protection. Bumping up to 5 amps would be fine-- but I wouldn't go more.

You're kind of doing too many conversions to get the power to the Bose units--- converting from 12 VDC to 110 VAC then using an adapter to convert back to whatever DC the Bose require. The best solution would be to get the proper voltage right from the 12 VDC plug to power your Bose units.

You can get units that plug into that plug and can provide various voltages (5,7,9,12) VDC... I think Radio Shack sells them. Look at the output voltage on the Bose power adapter to see what they need. You should be able to do this without the inverter..... but as I said-- if things have been working well (with the 3 amp factory fuse not blowing), then you're probably ok.

Just watch your battery as you'll be draining it when running this setup without it running. I highly recommend wiring in a Battery Tender unit so you can keep your battery up to snuff--- just plug it in once a week or so-- or every night if you want--- and your battery will always be 100% fresh and ready to go. I plug mine in almost every day--- and in the winter I just leave it plugged in all the time.

Good luck!

 

[arntufun]

Thanks Firefly for the info. Yes I'm only converting 12v DC to 110v AC and thats what the Bose speakers power from(AC). Battery tender at night (when she's sleeping in the garage) is a great idea. Thanks again !!!